Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is a great tool to maintain a clean home. It will pick up dust, pet hair, and other particles on the surface.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and resume cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is an excellent option for households with a variety of. It can be used to vacuum and mop and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of controls and features accessible through the app. It comes with a useful feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. As with all Roomba devices, it gets new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's expensive but is also among the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can sweep an entire home in less than two hours. It can switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, it automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It's got a range of other features that make it a good choice for homes with a lot of space, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While the Anker-owned Eufy has made a name for itself in budget robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model that could also mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and is able to compete against much more expensive models.
Eufy's main selling point with the X8 is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have created a rough map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into things, but the X8's laser mapping system is more precise. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate map of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a great vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It is able to effortlessly sling debris through the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The tyres are adept at securing corners and edges, even though they're circular. It's not a great kitty litter picker, though, with our tests showing it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is a good option for loose spills but you cannot regulate the amount of water it consumes and this will reduce its effectiveness for more serious staining. However, it does an excellent job of picking up pet hair, with a better pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It has a beautiful design, a great navigation system and a powerful cleaning power. But it has some operational issues that keep it from ranking as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping system that makes use of LIDAR to map the space and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and staying clear of obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room has been defined it is possible to designate virtual no-go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also start a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, see a live feed from the cameras onboard and more from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions immediately. The suction and sweeping power are top-notch, picking up surface litter from carpets of medium pile and dust in bare floors. But it's not the most efficient robot available. Like many other robots, it's not a good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule on an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's crucial for a robot capable of the task and that's why our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models to help you choose the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that looks just like the other, but it has some extra features and better performance. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3-D maps of your home and uses them to navigate and avoid obstructions. It can even identify common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum off the stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
In our tests, it effortlessly climbed over thick shag rug and didn't end up stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet was higher than the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of dirt and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition; there's an uniform cleaning button on the top. You can access it via the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, create no-go zones, and see its cleaning history. Ion is covered in a stylish dark gray plastic that feels and looks beautiful in your home. Its rear dustbin is easily accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum for a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S could be a good choice. This model lacks some smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in more expensive models. However, if you don't need these features, you could save money.
This robot is easy to set up and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you select different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to send the robotvac on an cleaning schedule.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning dirt and fur from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile made it easier to get under furniture and other low items that some of the more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was able to go effortlessly over door thresholds and move from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can take in some objects like cords, hoodie drawstrings, and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can avoid this by keeping these items off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also recommends that you regularly clean the dustbin, change the filters, and clean or change the brushes when necessary.
6. IRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's a top performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is something to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than its competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary lines through its mobile application. Although its app is a little sluggish, and the 980 does spin out a bit while moving over cables, it's an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It then uses that information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt from hard floors robot vacuum cleaner and carpets and an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect helps to prevent the Roomba from slipping down stairs. And it automatically returns to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharging between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size isn't as good as those of other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep your floors clean for hours on end.